'Even Twinkies could be carcinogenic'?

State Lands Department staffer Eric Wilson said it would be a broad restriction to ban the use of carcinogenic compounds from being injected into groundwater in "fracking" fluids. "I think even Twinkies could be carcinogenic if you eat enough of them," Wilson said. He said "some pretty harmless compounds" generally are being used, and there's a federal prohibition against the use of diesel fuel. Idaho specifically prohibits the injection of volatile organic compounds like benzene and tolulene, he said.

Kim Parsons, exploration manager for Bridge Energy, told the state's top elected officials, who are sitting this morning as the state Oil & Gas Conservation Commission, that the company has been "very clear" on excluding dangerous substances from its fracking fluids, and "we by no means intend to inject it into our precious groundwater." She said, "I do believe that we exhibit the highest quality of groundwater protection of any industry in the county." The company's projects could affect Canyon, Gem, Payette and Washington counties.